We are so excited to announce that Scottland Cooper, Callahan McGowan and Alan Wang have been named STAR Students for the 2022-2023 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) M.B Swayze Foundation, sponsor of the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program.
Established by the Mississippi Economic Council in 1965, the purpose of the STAR program is to recognize outstanding students & teachers in Mississippi through its Education Celebration. The STAR Student is selected based on academic excellence. Both American College Test Scores and scholastic averages are compared to determine the school’s STAR Student. These Biloxi High School seniors will be honored during the annual Education Celebration on April 13, 2023, in Pearl, MS.
Scottland Cambridge Cooper is a National Merit Finalist, State Champion for Senior Mathematics at Beta Convention, and the president of Biloxi High's student body. He is an active member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, National Technical Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Cambridge has also been a member of the Track and Field team for six years, and was elected as Mr. BHS for the 2022-2023 school year. Cambridge chose Michael Burkett as his STAR Teacher, stating, "Dr. Burkett was the first teacher that pushed me to push myself. His class was something of newfound difficulty for me, but because of his teaching and his encouragement, I not only exceeded my own expectations, but I learned to know things, rather than just understanding them. He is a true expert and ally in regards to the pursuit of knowledge." Dr. Burkett teaches Physics and this is the 5th time he has been chosen as a STAR teacher.
Callahan McGowan is a National Merit Finalist and a member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has played on the Biloxi High Varsity Soccer and Golf teams for the past two years. He chose Mrs. Strickland as his STAR Teacher because, "Mrs. Strickland is an excellent teacher who always has a positive mindset that allows her to motivate her students to do their best every day." Mrs. Strickland teaches AP Language & Composition and English II Honors and this is the second time she has been chosen as a STAR Teacher.
Alan Wang is a member of the Biloxi High School Band's Wind Ensemble, being with the band since middle school. In addition to that, he is also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Psi Alpha Honor Society. Before this, he was a member of the Mock Trial Club and worked as a sound apprentice for Tribe Theater in 2023. As for why he chose Dr. Michael Burkett as his STAR teacher, Alan states, "There are only a handful of teachers who can both effectively teach a subject as arduously enigmatic as physics while simultaneously making it a class that I can wake up in the morning and look forward to attending. Out of those, there is only one teacher who also has a great beard."
